Captain Oliver Bunnell is named in honor of John Bunnell, a former sheriff of Multnomah County, Oregon, who is credited with improving the modern state of American law enforcement. He also hosts and narrates the television series World's Wildest Police Videos. Elements of Sheriff Bunnell's life, such as his birthdate (May 25th) and birthplace (Pendleton, Oregon) were integrated into Captain Bunnell's own background.